VI. His memory was particularly faithful: he never CHAP. forgot the face of a single individual whom he had once seen, and recollected every circumstance connected with their lives and characters with astonishing accuracy, notwithstanding the vast accumulation of various information which his inquisitorial policy produced.* Fascinating in his manners, splendid in his household, kind and courteous to the private circle of his intimates, he possessed the happy art of conciliating every class of society; and kept in awe by the vigorous administration which, notwithstanding his indolent propensities, characterized the whole of his reign, the nation forgot or excused his most atrocious offences, and bowed without reluctance to his iron sway. Edward left eight children, two sons and six daughters born in wedlock, an illegitimate son named William, and a daughter Elizabeth by Elizabeth Lucie, one of the three mistresses whom he openly kept in the presence of the queen: a breach of decorum unknown to the English court since the licentious reign of John. The monarch's death was imputed by the French,. anxious to claim the honour of having killed a king of England, to grief at the disappointment of the projected alliance with the dauphin; and Louis, hovering himself upon the brink of the grave, rejoiced that his subtlety had over-reached and finally, according to his flattering hopes, destroyed the adversary of whom he stood most in fear. The body of the deceased king was exposed to public view, naked from the waist upwards, for the space of ten • Continuation of Croyle. + Comines. VI. CHAP. hours, in which the corpse was visited by the lords spiritual and temporal and the city authorities. His death took place in the palace of Westminster, and his remains were consigned with fitting pomp to the new chapel which he had built at Windsor. CHAPTER VII. The King's Love of Dress-Sumptuary Laws-New Fashions-Mode of wearing the Hair-Penalties for making piked Shoes-Costliness of Banquets-Strange Modes of Cookery-Receipts for several Dishes-The Soteltie-Great Feast at the Marriage of Lionel Duke of Clarence—and at subsequent Festivals—Sumptuous Banquet given by Archbishop Neville-Ceremonies observed in taking the Assay— Dearth of the common Necessaries of the Table amidst its Splendour -Amusements of Edward's Court-Sports and Pastimes of the English People-Tournaments—Splendour of the Nobles when appearing in the Lists-Laws of the Tournament-Statutes published by the Earl of Worcester-Military Toys-Caxton laments the Decay of Chivalry-Knights-Errant-Introduction of Tilts-Pastimes of the lower Orders-Masquings and Mummings-Sports of London from old Times-Entertainments devised by the Citizens for the Royal Family-Christmas Games—Festivities at Easter—and on May Day -Poem of Lydgate's-Rejoicings on Saints' Days-Procession of the Watch Wrestling at Clerkenwell on Saint Bartholomew's Day -Stow laments the Progress of Gaming-Statutes against unlawful Games-Love of Strange Sights-A Turkish Dwarf. VII. EDWARD was immoderately attached to the fop- CHAP. peries of dress. He studied new devices for the decoration of his person, continually appearing in some strange and becoming garb of silk or velvet richly ornamented and lined with costly furs. He refused to allow any person beneath the rank of a VI. His CHAP. hours, in which the corpse was visited by the lords spiritual and temporal and the city authorities. death took place in the palace of Westminster, and his remains were consigned with fitting pomp to the new chapel which he had built at Windsor. CHAPTER VII. The King's Love of Dress-Sumptuary Laws-New Fashions-Mode of wearing the Hair-Penalties for making piked Shoes-Costliness of Banquets-Strange Modes of Cookery-Receipts for several Dishes-The Soteltie-Great Feast at the Marriage of Lionel Duke of Clarence—and at subsequent Festivals—Sumptuous Banquet given by Archbishop Neville-Ceremonies observed in taking the Assay— Dearth of the common Necessaries of the Table amidst its Splendour -Amusements of Edward's Court-Sports and Pastimes of the English People—Tournaments—Splendour of the Nobles when appearing in the Lists-Laws of the Tournament—Statutes published by the Earl of Worcester-Military Toys-Caxton laments the Decay of Chivalry—Knights-Errant—Introduction of Tilts-Pastimes of the lower Orders-Masquings and Mummings-Sports of London from old Times-Entertainments devised by the Citizens for the Royal Family-Christmas Games-Festivities at Easter-and on May Day -Poem of Lydgate's-Rejoicings on Saints' Days-Procession of the Watch Wrestling at Clerkenwell on Saint Bartholomew's Day -Stow laments the Progress of Gaming-Statutes against unlawful Games-Love of Strange Sights-A Turkish Dwarf. VII. EDWARD was immoderately attached to the fop- CHAP. peries of dress. He studied new devices for the decoration of his person, continually appearing in some strange and becoming garb of silk or velvet richly ornamented and lined with costly furs. He refused to allow any person beneath the rank of a |